In another one of a series of recent pandemic reform moves, the WHO Executive Board Monday approved the creation of a new Standing Committee on Health Emergencies, which could convene within 24 hours after the declaration of a global public health emergency – and liaise between the WHO Director-General and member states about modes of […] Continue reading ->
  World Health Organization (WHO) member states endorsed a new polio eradication strategy 2022-2026 last week that aims to permanently interrupt all poliovirus transmission – both of the wild poliovirus and vaccine-derived cases.  Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the discovery of a second wild poliovirus case in Africa, confirmed on 18 […] Continue reading ->
While the World Health Assembly adopted a raft of roadmaps, strategies and resolutions to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on Friday, what was important was their implementation, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “It is impossible to overstate the importance of concerted action against non-communicable diseases, which account for 85% of all premature mortality in low and […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Assembly on Thursday approved a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by 88 votes to 12 – but the 53 abstentions reflected the discomfort of many member states with a debate that polarised the global health body.  Russia’s counter-resolution only garnered 15 votes including those of Belarus, Burundi and Eritrea, with 66 […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA –Russia’s war in Ukraine grabbed centre stage at the World Health Assembly Thursday as delegates prepared to take up competing draft resolutions on Ukraine’s health emergency: one denouncing Russia and supported by Turkey, Ukraine, the United States and all European Union members except for Hungary; the other co-sponsored only by Russia and Syria. Although […] Continue reading ->
  GENEVA – Faced with a chorus of demands for accountability from member nations, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus again pledged greater efforts by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) leadership to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse by its staff and contractors at the World Health Assembly on Wednesday.  The discussion followed the recent publication of a […] Continue reading ->